mooring courses

[sara]

Anyone know of a practical course devoted to berthing up in a marina/anchoring to a buoy/coming alongside/rafting up with a sailing boat under power?
Have plenty of printed word info. and RYA Dayskipper/Competent Crew is too general.
Finding an opportunity to practice the real thing without damaging another boat or ours is very difficult.
Any advice?

 

[Magic_Sailor]

I would have thought they were the only relevant courses. Why not find a some pontoon berths with plenty of space around them (be a bit careful, I would imagine some marinas wouldn't be too chuffed - use your loaf) - put some markers on it to show where other imaginary boats are and then practice for an hour or so - you could even ask some kind soul with a bit more experience to come with you and talk you through it.

Don't worry, everybody's been there.

Magic

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>

 

[Jacket]

There was such a course mentioned in PBO a few months ago. I'll look it up when I get home and let you know.

 

[rusty_nail]

'Jacket' is right. I believe the company was called Sail UK. The lady that wrote the article seemed impressed with its course.

All the best
Russ

 

[snowleopard]

any small sailing school will set up a couple of day's tuition for you, especially if you go out of peak season.

john goode has done a number of these for articles in pbo so i expect he's a good starting point (based hamble way i believe)

alternatively if you go into any marina at the weekend and start experimenting, you'll get lots of advice for free ;-)

 

[Gerry]

See www.martinnorthey.net. He spent a couple of days with us on our boat and completely took away our fear! Sometimes now we are even in full(!) control!
It really was timeand money well spent.

 

[stephenh]

Sara - John Goodes " Southern Sailing School" in Swanwick does weekend courses in close quarters handling during the winter - to be recommended - I have been twice, tel :01489 575 511
enjoy Stephen

 

[Guest]

Try the Plas Menai web site. They do excellent weekend courses just for this.